The astronauts leave the pressurized unit, an inflatable cylindrical structure called the "Boomerang", specially designed for the Martian landscape with a guaranteed atmosphere control system on the Island of Reunion. (Francis Demange/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Risk of Cancer to Mars Astronauts Worse Than Previously Thought

Radiation from cosmic rays cancer risk doubled for astronauts on mission to Mars.

Space travel is always risky, but going Mars will be more dangerous than previously realized.

Scientists doubled the risk of cancer after new models evaluated the effects of cosmic radiation on astronauts traveling to Mars or other long-term missions beyond the protection of Earth’s magnetic field.

“Galactic cosmic ray exposure can devastate a cell’s nucleus and cause mutations that can result in cancers,” the study’s lead researcher Francis Cucinotta explained.

The findings, published recently in Scientific Reports, used a new model that adjusted the duration of the space travel needed to get to Mars. Previous risks were made based on short-term exposure to cosmic rays.

A mission to Mars would take at least 900 days, making astronauts’ exposure to the dangerous radiation “unavoidable.”

Cucinotta called for additional research with radiation protection and the effects of cosmic rays on human tissue.